Individual projects that can be applied for at any time

As part of the ongoing project funding, project applications can be made at any time in all medical research fields.

For first applicants:

Supporting young applicants with a passion for research on the way to becoming scientifically independent has always been a focus of the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung. This line of funding has been increased since October 2014. First applications can be submitted by postdoctoral physicians, as well as life scientists engaged in medical research. Human and material resources may be requested as necessary and scientifically justified for implementation of the planned project.

NEW: As a general rule, it is not possible to apply for one’s own position.

Addressees eligible to apply

To apply, the applicant institution must make a substantial contribution of its own: approx. 1/3 of total project expenditure must be provided in the form of human and material resources from the institutional funding.

In addition, first original publications as lead author should be available.

As a general rule, the applicants will have continued their scientific work after their PhD, during their time as a postdoctoral fellow, or alongside their further medical training. The acquisition of intramural funding or smaller external sub-project funding (e.g. as co-applicant) shall not pose an obstacle to the application.

Scientists who have acquired more than one funded project as project managers in peer-reviewed procedures from the Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation, DFG, BMBF, Krebshilfe, EU, among others, shall, however, not be eligible to make an application in this procedure.

For applicants for pioneering key projects:

The Foundation’s aim with this funding measure is to find projects that have the potential to lead to fundamental discoveries that are groundbreaking for an entire field of research. This could be, for example:

evidence of a causal connection that was previously lacking,

testing of a previously non-existent or unworkable hypothesis,

questioning of a previously generally accepted theory, a “proof of principle” or a “first-in-man” examination of an innovative intervention approach,

or even a clinical trial that has the potential to significantly transform guidelines (with the exception of phase III pharmaceutical trials).

It is in the nature of going beyond the boundaries of previous limits of knowledge that such key projects can often not be assigned to any particular field or any thematically defined call for applications.

Addressees eligible to apply

Applications can be made by scientists who have gained international recognition in their area of research and who have had outstanding publications in relevant fields. The applicants should provide convincing evidence that their work group is particularly suited – also in the competitive international context – to solving the problem at hand through the interplay between expertise, preparatory work or even infrastructure.

Both human and material resources may be applied for as necessary and scientifically justified for implementation of the planned project. The funds shall be allocated in a two-stage procedure. Prior to the time-consuming formulation of a full application, a draft proposal should be submitted first. The topicality and potential of the project idea as a key project shall be evaluated based on this draft.

NEW: Project mangers of an EKFS funding project that is currently ongoing shall only be eligible to make a new application after completion and publication of the results of that project.